HAVANA - Colombia's government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC in Spanish) have reached an agreement, bringing an end to a bloody conflict. The head of the Colombian delegation, Humberto de la Calle, and the chief FARC negotiator, Ivan Marquez, signed the agreement at a ceremony in Cuba on August 24.
The conflict between FARC and the government began in 1964 and has killed more than 220,000 and displaced millions.
The deal will go to a plebiscite vote on October 2. Most polls show broad support among Colombians for peace. However, there are powerful groups and individuals who oppose the deal, including former President Alvaro Uribe. Current President Juan Manuel Santos has staked his political career on peace, making the outcome of the vote vital to his future in politics.
Under the deal, FARC will turn in its arms and stop fighting the government. In return, they will be guaranteed non-voting seats in Colombia's legislature until 2018. After that, they are free to form a political party and run for office.
The deal does not end all violence in Colombia. Other leftist groups, such as National Liberation Army (ELN) continue to fight on. Right-wing groups, who rose up to oppose FARC, have also increased in threat. Drug trafficking remains a problem as well in Colombia.
However, FARC was the strongest of the groups opposing the government. Peace between the group and the government will enable Colombia to shift its focus from battle to supporting its own population through investment in education, infrastructure, and social welfare.
You have 0 item(s) in your cart